Rigidifying brace

Abstract

A passive stent for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ may include an inner layer, an outer layer, and a middle layer that is enclosed by the inner layer and the outer layer, comprising a plurality of components configured to interlock and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. A method for retaining an organ in an expanded state may include applying at least one force to the organ to place the organ in the expanded state; applying a passive stent to an external surface of the organ; and applying a vacuum to the passive stent sufficient to cause a plurality of components of at least one layer of the passive stent to interlock, where the at least one layer is configured to maintain the organ in the expanded state after interlocking.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A brassiere comprising:
 two cups, each configured to support a breast and each comprising:
 an inner layer; 
 an outer layer; 
 a middle layer enclosed by the inner layer and the outer layer and comprising a plurality of components configured to interlock upon application of a vacuum; and 
 a port configured for applying the vacuum to the middle layer; 
 wherein the middle layer is configured to substantially conform to an external surface of the breasts after interlocking, and 
 wherein the middle layer is configured to maintain the breasts in the expanded state after interlocking. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The brassiere of  claim 1 , further comprising a semi-rigid frame and configured to secure the two cups to the breasts. 
     
     
       3. The brassiere of  claim 1 , further comprising an extension surrounding at least a portion of the two cups and configured to block airflow between the inner layer and skin of the breasts. 
     
     
       4. The brassiere of  claim 1 , further comprising fabric configured to conform to a torso and block airflow between the inner layer and skin of the breasts. 
     
     
       5. The brassiere of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is configured to adhere to the breasts using surface tension.